I did my undergrad at UO and, full disclaimer, couldn't stand the culture built around football and the Ducks or anything else related to the revoltingly dubbed "Uncle Phil" and his Nike empire. Luckily, I ran in activist and academic circles that had long whispered about his dirty dealings with our administration — including, but not even remotely limited to, his successful attempts at shutting down student protests over Nike's financial... (read more)Recommended by Cosima C.

Dave Cullen's examination of the tragic massacre at Columbine High School is heartbreaking (in ways both expected and unexpected) and emotionally difficult to read. But it's more important than ever that we read it anyway. In the two decades since Columbine, we've proven just how much we have to learn about the causes and effects of our rampage violence disease, and this book has something to teach.Recommended by Emily F.

I don't know how to talk about this book yet. I've tried to explain how moved I was while reading it. How proud I am of Tara's journey so far. How haunted I feel by what she went through, and by the echoes of her experiences in my own life. I can't keep the tears out of my eyes and I can't praise Educated highly enough. Recommended by McKenzie W.

Any writer will tell aspiring writers that the best way to learn to write well is to read. Read, read again, read some more, and read well. So, read advice on writing from one of the greatest writers. Ray Bradbury reminds us to be true to ourselves, and that it is important to write to be happy.Recommended by Alex K.

Who better to get advice from for NaNoWriMo than the man who invented it? Chris Baty makes novel writing less intimidating by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Been chewing on a few ideas? Sink your teeth into this book and devour easy instructions for writing stories that apply to more than just NaNoWriMo. Recommended by Alex K.

In Where the Past Begins,Tan shares her memories of growing up, family secrets, and how emotional truth and fiction comingle. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to her work, Tan’s unforgettable prose and wry sense of humor make this a can’t-miss read.Recommended by Mary Jo S.

This is a book about not only how to write well, but also how to find fulfillment in writing. Writing Down the Bones differs from other how-to-write books by providing useful writing exercises to promote inspiration and improve writing skills, instead of just offering clichéd advice or standard grammar rules. Natalie Goldberg equips writers, whether they are seasoned or just starting out, with tools to effectively reduce stress and the... (read more)Recommended by Alex K.

Jeff VanderMeer, bestselling author of the Southern Reach trilogy, is hailed for his riveting and genre-bending fiction. It is fascinating to see his creative processes and his book on writing doesn't disappoint!Recommended by Kate G.

While revisiting kids’ books can be a lot of fun, reading Bruce Handy’s colorful commentary on beloved children’s classics is even more delightful. His insights are paired with fascinating details about the authors, and while he isn’t afraid to criticize some favorites (The Giving Tree, for one), his passion and enthusiasm are infectious.Recommended by Renee P.

What makes us curious? In his new book, astrophysicist Mario Livio deftly explores our deeply-ingrained impulse to question. Packed with interviews, stories, science, and explorations into the minds of such thinkers as Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman, Why? is highly recommended for anyone curious about being curious.Recommended by Gigi L.

The author of several bestselling memoirs gives us a look under the hood. What makes a successful memoir? How does one handle the wily beast of memory? Karr elegantly dissects several well-known memoirs and gives clear examples of why they work so well. She also discusses her own work and writing process.Recommended by Mary Jo S.

Any new release by Krakauer is bound to be controversial, but with Missoula, a look at campus rape across America, he's created a lightning rod for vigorous debate. Well-written and incredibly thought-provoking, Missoula assesses the campus rape problem and explores the troubling mechanics of our justice system.Recommended by Rhianna W.

Any new release by Krakauer is bound to be controversial, but with Missoula, a look at campus rape across America, he's created a lightning rod for vigorous debate. Well-written and incredibly thought-provoking, Missoula uses a broad array of case studies and interviews to assess the campus rape problem and explore the troubling mechanics of our justice system.Recommended by Rhianna W.

Composting is a dirty job, but if you've ever tried growing something without the aid of all that nutrient-rich organic matter, you know it's a necessary one. Thankfully, there exists in nature a creature who actually enjoys wading through your kitchen scraps... and makes a mean compost in the process! In Worms Eat My Garbage, Mary Appelhof demystifies the vermicomposting process, equipping readers with all the tools they need... (read more)Recommended by Tove H.

Join bestselling author and Chez Panisse co-owner Alice Waters as she chronicles the transformation of a neglected urban schoolyard into a thriving organic garden and kitchen classroom, where students participate in all aspects of growing, harvesting, and preparing nutritious, seasonal produce. This is education at its best!Recommended by Tove H.

The house I grew up in (with my sister, my two parents, a constant but ever-changing assortment of critters, and all the associated clutter one might expect) was 800 sq. ft. In a word: tiny.
But the homes in Lloyd Kahn's Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter give my childhood home a run for its money. Tiny Homes showcases a fantastic assortment of structures under 500 sq. ft. What these buildings lack in square footage,... (read more)Recommended by Tove H.

Ebullient to those already under the Oulipian spell and likely befuddling to those ingenuity intolerant, Daniel Levin Becker's Many Subtle Channels is a fascinating, engaging, and well-researched account of Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle (translating loosely as the "workshop for potential literature"), a collective of mostly French writers and mathematicians that employ(ed) a range... (read more)Recommended by Jeremy G.